HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Jeff Gordon clearly crossed the line last week when he intentionally wrecked Clint Bowyer at Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said Saturday.

Gordon retaliated against Bowyer late in the race, destroying Bowyer's car and his slim championship hopes. The incident led to brawl in the garage between the two teams and earned both drivers a meeting with NASCAR officials.

Brian France: Jeff Gordon exceeds intent of NASCAR policy. (AP Photo)

Gordon was fined $100,000 and penalized 25 points for retaliating against Bowyer, who had made contact with him earlier in the race. Gordon apologized on Friday, but said Bowyer had it coming.

France said Gordon crossed the line between racing contact and unacceptable behavior.

"We have a stated approach that this is a contact sport, we expect contact, especially late in the race, but I always say there are limits," France said Saturday.

"Drivers know what those limits are. You cross those limits, and that's exactly what happened on Sunday, it is very obvious and very easy for us to figure that out and everybody to figure that out and so we deal with it."

NASCAR's "boys have at it" policy, which was implemented two years ago, has created confusion over how far drivers are allowed to go in settling their differences on the track. Several drivers were allowed to get away with retaliatory measures in 2010 and most of 2011 — until Kyle Busch was suspended a race for intentionally wrecking Ron Hornaday late last year at Texas Motor Speedway.

France said drivers know the limits, although there was differing opinions over whether Gordon should have been suspended.

"If they have any confusion on that, they can certainly talk to us directly or look at our calls and how we've dealt with (things) when we think that those limits have been broken, and that will be that," France said.